Page 18 of Dangerous Pursuit

Eli: Is that possible?

Me: Probably not. Shoot me the details.

After I finish my call with the investigator, I do something way out of character and call my parents for dinner on Sunday. They may know more about her private life by seeing her mom weekly. In the meantime, the investigator can check into Mia’s background to fill in the blanks. And I might be crazy, but I’ll be accompanying Mia on her date tonight; she just won’t know. We’ll see if this is the type of hookup she’s making it out to be or simply a cover like I think it is.

I feel better about setting the wheels in motion, but I can’t shake off my anxiousness and this strange new draw to protect the girl I have no business getting involved with. I’m sure it’s just concern over her safety and nothing more. That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.

It looks like we both might be liars.

Mia

Crap, crap, crap. The last thing I need is someone getting suspicious right out of the gate. Whether I like it or not, I’m in this, and with the amount owed, it’ll be for a while. Why did I have to fidget? I did such a good job covering my neck, keeping my head down, and wearing a blouse with flouncy sleeves covering my wrists, only to screw it up by fricking fidgeting.

I still can’t get over what happened last night. After taking a minute to calm down once they left, I went to clean myself up but took one look in the mirror and broke down again. I only had so long to pull myself together before Mom got home. Making it through dinner was draining, and by the time the kitchen wasclean and my bed suddenly appeared in front of me, I climbed in like a zombie and crashed. The night was filled with bad dreams amidst minimal sleep, so I’d told Jackson the truth, saying I was tired.

He can’t find out what happened—thus, my brilliant idea to act like it was from a night of kinky sex. It was the only thing that came to mind. I’m sure that can make a girl tired. Seriously, what was I thinking? He didn’t fall for the lie in the slightest, and then I dug myself deeper by blabbing about my date tonight. I figured it would make the story more believable even though I’d planned to cancel the damn thing because, hello… how can I think about dating with all this?

Now I realize it’s exactly what I need. Not only will it make everything appear normal, but it’ll be a good distraction. If I were to cancel, Walker would never let it go, pestering me until I changed my mind or told him the truth. If I keep up the ruse, it’ll kill two birds with one stone. Walker will have no reason to question me, and Jackson has no way of knowing what happens behind closed doors. I’ll just fake it ’til I make it.

This is so fricking complicated. Not only do I have to worry about the shit I’m involved in but Jackson’s meddling along with it. When he offered to “eliminate my distraction,” I almost caved at the authority and determination in his voice, making me believe for a moment that he could do it. I know better than to mess with these guys, though. I need Jackson to let it go, but I have a feeling he won’t be giving up easily. If he were to learn the truth, he’d more than likely force me to go to the police, and then my mom’s life would be on the line. Iwon’tlet that happen.

That’s why, from this moment on, I’m shaking this shit off. I’ll put my poker face on and pay my dad’s debt. They didn’t say I couldn’t play more games, only that I had to play the ones they told me to. It just means I may have to put school on hold fora year, since I’ll be a walking zombie until this is over. I’m sure there’s some kind of deferral I can do.God, what a mess.

Now I need to figure out what I’m going to do about handing over the money I’ve saved. How would they know how much I have if it’s hidden away? I’ll have to decide what amount I’m willing to give that seems believable.

My phone buzzes in the drawer. Instinctively, my head snaps toward Jackson’s office, which does no good since I can’t see through the closed door or blinds. I don’t get many texts, so I’m curious as I reach to grab it. Didn’t they say curiosity killed the cat? It’s an unknown number, but not hard to decipher who it’s from.

Unknown: Tomorrow night, sweet cheeks. Seven sharp, $2K buy-in. Let’s see if Daddy was right about you. Address tomorrow.

My eyes go wide, and my mouth opens in shock. Thankfully, my first paycheck was deposited today because the whole thing is going to the buy-in. Even though the situation scares me, I can’t deny the excitement of playing again. Not only do I love it, but I’m damn good, and it gives me a sense of satisfaction. And this time, I’m not deceiving my mom by choice. Though it does suck that the money won’t be going in my pocket.

Jackson’s door opens abruptly, making me fumble and drop my phone.

“Not skittish at all, huh?” he asks rhetorically.

Scowling, I bend, but he beats me to it, picking my phone up off the floor. I panic as he looks at the screen before handing it over. Thank God it’s locked.

“You startled me. I’m not usually on my phone during work, I swear.” Why is he standing here looking like there’s more to say?

“What was so important that you had to take care of during working hours?” he asks sternly.

God, he is such a jerk.

“I was confirming my plans for later,” I say, the lie rolling convincingly off my tongue.

“For yourdate, huh? Tell me, is he the guy you were with last night?” He’s not buying it.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but no. It’s someone new.” This might work out in my favor. I can play off the “insatiable sex fiend” angle since I have the marks to prove it.Yeah right…

“And how did you meet this new guy? Is there a secret club or something?” He’s smirking at me as if calling me out.

“Online. There are these things called dating apps. You’re probably too old for them,” I snap back. My cool façade isn’t staying in place today based on what I’ve dealt with in the last twenty-four hours.

“Nice try. You’re not old enough to be on those, so how did you manage that?”

I scoff. “Are you the dating app police now? Everyone my age has an account. It’s just a way to find people, you know… who might be looking for the samethings.” The implication is evident in my tone. “Age isn’t an issue.”

“Age is most certainly an issue when you’re a minor and shouldn’t be fucking someone who could go to jail for it.” He looks at me with raised eyebrows like he’s got the upper hand.

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